Zelda Rubinstein
Zelda Rubinstein | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Zelda Rubenstein |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1980–present |
Zelda Rubinstein (May 28, 1933)[1] is an American actress, best known as eccentric medium Tangina Barrons in the movies Poltergeist (1982) and its sequels, Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986), and Poltergeist III (1988). She also made guest appearances in the TV spin-off Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996), as a seer, Christina.
Early life and career
Rubinstein was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended the University of California and the University of Pittsburgh.[2] She stands just 4 feet 0 inches (122 cm) due to a deficiency of the anterior pituitary gland, which produces growth hormone. Commenting in 2002 on the challenges of being a very short statured person, Rubinstein said, "Little People are societally handicapped. They have about two minutes to present themselves as equals—and if they don’t take advantage of that chance, then people fall back on the common assumption that 'less' is less."[3]
She entered the film industry comparatively late, upon returning to the United States after living in Africa for several years. Poltergeist was her first minor film role. She has remained active in film ever since, frequently portraying various psychic characters. She is also the spooky-voiced announcer on the television series, Scariest Places on Earth, which airs in the US on ABC Family and in Canada on YTV.
Rubinstein's other minor/major film roles include Cages, Teen Witch, The Wildcard, Southland Tales and National Lampoon's Last Resort. She has also done voice-over work for TV including Hey Arnold!, and The Flintstones. She has made numerous guest appearances on network TV shows, including Caroline in the City, Martin, Mr. Belvedere, and had a starring role on Picket Fences. She also appeared in an episode of Tales From The Crypt in which she played the mother of a girl who has been dead for 40 years.
Since 2006, she has done voiceovers in television commercials promoting movies such as Lady in the Water and products including Skittles candy. Her most recent film role came in 2007 when she made a cameo appearance in the horror film Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.
Illness
On December 29, 2009, it was reported that, after a month-long stay at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Rubinstein's family made the decision to take Rubinstein off life support due to both kidney and lung failure.[4] On January 2, 2010, friends reported she was not near death, and was well on her way to recovery.[5]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Under the Rainbow | Iris | |
| 1982 | Poltergeist | Tangina Barrons | Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| Frances | Mental Patient | Credited as Zelda Rubenstein | |
| 1983 | A Chip of Glass Ruby | Daughter | |
| 1984 | Sixteen Candles | Organist | |
| 1986 | Poltergeist II: The Other Side | Tangina Barrons | |
| 1987 | Anguish | Alice Pressman, the Mother | Alternative title: Angustia |
| 1988 | Poltergeist III | Tangina Barrons | |
| 1989 | Teen Witch | Madame Serena | |
| 1991 | Guilty as Charged | Edna | |
| 1994 | National Lampoon's Last Resort | Old Hermit | Alternative titles: Last Resort National Lampoon's Scuba School |
| 1995 | Timemaster | Betting Clerk | |
| 1996 | Lover's Knot | Woman in Clinic | |
| Little Witches | Mother Clodah | ||
| 1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Theatre Director | |
| Mama Dolly | Mama Dolly | ||
| 1998 | Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights | Princess Shalazar | |
| 1999 | Frank in Five | Waitress | |
| 2000 | Maria & Jose | Doctor | |
| 2002 | Wishcraft | Medical Examiner | |
| 2004 | The Wild Card | Mrs. Stanfield | Direct-to-DVD release |
| 2005 | Cages | Liz | |
| Angels with Angles | Zelda the Angel | ||
| 2006 | Unbeatable Harold | Bunny | |
| Southland Tales | Dr. Katarina Kuntzler | ||
| Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon | Mrs. Collinwood | ||
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | The Flintstone Comedy Hour | Atrocia Frankenstone (Voice) | 1 episode |
| 1983 | Jennifer Slept Here | 1 episode | |
| Matt Houston | Flower Girl | 1 episode | |
| 1984 | Whiz Kids | Madame Zerleena | 1 episode |
| Santa Barbara | Mental Patient | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | ABC Weekend Special | Ralph's Mother | 1 episode |
| 1987 | The Tortellis | 1 episode | |
| Faerie Tale Theatre | Old Woman | 1 episode | |
| Sable | Sister Glory | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | Mr. Belvedere | Murphy | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Darkwing Duck | Voice | 1 episode |
| The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw | Butterfingers O'Malley | Television movie | |
| 1992 | Stormy Weathers | Rosamund | Television movie |
| Tales from the Crypt | Nora | 1 episode | |
| 1992-1994 | Picket Fences | Ginny Weedon | 44 episodes |
| 1993 | Acting on Impulse | Nosy Lady | Television movie |
| 1996 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | Christina | 1 episode |
| 1997 | Martin | Nurse Froyd | 1 episode |
| Chock 2 - Kött | Mother | Television movie | |
| 1998 | Caroline in the City | Phyllis | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Hey Arnold! | Patty's Mother (Voice) | 1 episode |
| 2000 | The Pretender | Pawn shop lady | 1 episode |
| 2000-2006 | Scariest Places on Earth | Narrator | 48 episodes |
| 2001 | The Flintstones: On the Rocks | Psychiatrist (Voice) | Television movie |
References
- ^ "IMDb: Zelda Rubinstein".
- ^ "Yahoo! Movies: Zelda Rubinstein Biography".
- ^ Thomas-Matej, Elisabeth (2002). "What's in a Diagnosis? A Medical Biography of Michael Dunn". NCTC.net. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ Zelda Rubinstein Off Life Support, R.I.P. Chas. Balun
- ^ Poltergeist Star Not Near Death